Toulon (for the Cote d'Azur) Cruises, France
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Fusing French Riviera glam with the feel of a traditional old town, Toulon is your gorgeous gateway to the Côte d’Azur.
- Follow the sound of popping corks and clinking champagne flutes to über-stylish St-Tropez, a long-time glitterati favourite.
- Venture into Aix en Provence and find out about its dual identity. This place is known as the Town of Water thanks to its fountains and the Town of Art because of its many museums.
- See for yourself if there’s any truth in French poet Frédéric Mistral’s famous words ‘He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing!’. Little changed by time, Cassis is still much the same little fishing port that first attracted artists like Signac and Derain, eager to capture its serene charm.
- Venture into the breathtaking Provence countryside and stumble upon sleepy French villages. This enchanting region has inspired many a great master, including Van Gogh and Cézanne.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
St. Tropez & Port Grimaud
Once a sleepy fishing village, St Tropez was catapulted onto the world map in the 1950’s by legends like Brigitte Bardot and Sacha Distel. They turned it into the French Riviera’s chic capital and these days it’s home to the crème de la crème in film and fashion. There are far more luxury yachts than fishing boats moored at the beautiful harbour. After an hour-and-a-half drive from the port, enjoy a guided walk from the waterfront through the old streets. Take a look at the pink and yellow houses, which have been converted into fashionable cafes and pastry shops. You’ll see Place des Lices, too, where lots of celebs play petanque in the summer. Then you’ll get around two hours’ free time for a little retail therapy or a laid-back lunch. Later on, make a brief visit to charming Port Grimaud, also known as the Little Venice of France. This unique resort looks like a traditional Mediterranean fishing village but in actual fact it’s a modern complex of luxury villas and houses linked by a network of canals, neat little bridges and narrow alleys.
The Charming Village of Cassis
“He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing.” Even if this saying by French poet Frederic Mistral seems exaggerated, it still reflects the interest of this little seaside resort at the foot of the Cape Canaille cliff. A former Roman trading post, Cassis is every bit the charmer with its café-lined quays, jagged little coves and sun-blushed beaches. Your coach will drop you off at the top of Cassis, where you'll board a mini-train to take you to the bay area. When you get to this friendly little town, enjoy a short introduction from your guide, then spend some free time getting to know the place, shopping in the boutiques or relaxing in the cafes. Later on, taking the mini train back to the top of Cassis, you’ll re-board the coaches for the drive back to Toulon. If the weather allows it, we'll even to drive to Gineste Hills, a stunning view point, famous in these areas - Make sure you pack your camera for this one.
Seaside Villages Bandol & Sanary-Sur-Mur
With its pretty pink and white houses, Sanary Sur Mer gives you a real flavour of Provence. Stroll along the 11th-century harbour, where local boules players share a joke and fishermen sell off their catch at the daily market. The nearby town of Bandol is a real treat, too, with its elegant palm-lined promenade packed with cafés and boutiques. It’s a great place to get your hands on fantastic local produce. Keep an eye out for the wine that comes from the vineyards backing this oh-so-sophisticated resort.